Tesla Investigating Why A Stolen Model S Split In Half After High-Speed Chase, Collision

(KTLA.com)

It’s not every day that a car splits in half, and it’s definitely not an even carmakers want to have happen. That’s why Tesla is now pledging to fully investigate how a stolen Model S split in half at the end of a high-speed chase and collision with a light pole.

According to police, a Tesla dealership called to report that someone was “tampering or messing” with one of the vehicles early on Friday morning, reports KTLA.com.

Officials arrived on the scene and started going after the alleged thief around 12:45 a.m., chasing the suspect at speeds of up to 100mph.

The chase ended when the Tesla hit two other cars and a lamp post, splitting the Model S in half and starting a battery fire. One half of the car landed on another.

“There were fires after that that broke out,” a witness said. “I saw the firefighters — like 25 firefighters – standing around the white car with the Jaws of Life.”

“We originally thought it was fireworks. Everybody thought it was fireworks that were just exploding,” he added.

Six people were injured on the runway Tesla’s rampage, and four other vehicles were hit by it, police said. Meanwhile, the man in the Tesla was thrown from the car and thought to be dead, but he was resuscitated on the way to the hospital.

Tesla says it wants to investigate and check out the bits and pieces of the Model S, reports the Financial Post.

“We’ve asked to take a look at the vehicle as soon as that’s possible,” a spokesman said. “There aren’t so many S’s involved in major crashes, and certainly not quite like this one, so we absolutely want to have a look to understand what happened.”

LAPD: Stolen Tesla Involved in Police Pursuit Crashes Into Cars, Splits in Half in WeHo; 7 Injured [KTLA.com]

Tesla Motors Inc. to investigate Model S that split in two after high-speed chase and collision [Financial Post]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist